Feb. 5, 2010

Fort Wayne, IN- In 2009, the IPFW men's golf team made history, winning the program's first ever tournament. Now in 2010, the squad looks not just another tournament win, but an all-access trip to the NCAAs.

In his second year as IPFW head men's golf coach, Billy King and his Mastodons couldn't be more excited for the opportunities that lie ahead in 2010.

Not only did the men's golf team capture the program's first ever tournament victory last spring, the squad also accumulated the highest male team GPA in the athletic department. It's no secret that the `Dons are getting the job done on-and-off the golf course.

However, if you think King is content with his team's early accomplishments, think again. In the halls of the Gates Center, coaches and players alike can't miss the tone of the second year golf coach, singing the melody "We've Only Just Begun."

Let's Tee `Em Up

It has been three months since the Mastodons competed in their last collegiate event, and needless to say the team is eager to hit the links. Unless global warming exceeds to new heights in a short notice, the team's next few rounds will not take place in the Summit City.

In 2009, the Mastodons started the spring season on March 8 in Jacksonville, Florida. This year, the `Dons will begin a month earlier on February 8-9, when the team travels to St. George, Utah, to compete in the Pat Hicks Thunderbird Classic hosted by Southern Utah. According to weather.com, the forecast calls for 53 degrees and partly cloudy conditions on the first day of play.

A month later on March 8, the `Dons will compete for the second consecutive year at the Don Benbow Invitational hosted by Butler University in Jacksonville, Florida. At the end of March, and weather permitting, the squad will travel down I-69 for the Ball State Cardinal Collegiate at the Sultans Golf Club. Last season, the event was shortened from 54 to 36 holes due to unplayable course conditions. A week later, the Mastodons head to Bloomington, Indiana, to compete against the Big Ten's best in the adidas Hoosier Classic. The Mastodons will end the regular season in Plymouth, Michigan, at the Detroit Titans Invitational. IPFW finished in 9th place last season at the event.

The 2010 Summit League Championship will be held in St. George, Utah, at the Club of Entrada Golf Club on April 26-27. If the Mastodons win the two-day conference tournament, they will qualify for the NCAA Tournament, which takes place the following week.

Welcome Back, Welcome Back

On paper, the Mastodons appear to be a young, inexperienced team. In reality, though, the squad is equipped with seasoned-veterans and past tournament-champions. The `Dons return four letterwinners from last season, starting with senior Jon Balyeat, junior Ryan Olbin, and sophomores Johnny McMillen and Jacob Bailey. While the starting five will change throughout the season, look for these four gentlemen to be embedded in the lineup more often than not.

The diaper dandies, or the freshmen class, includes Drew Imel (Norwell), Michael Jenkins (Homestead), Curtis Coverstone (Wawasee), Tomaz Pinheiro (Brazil) and Bruno

In 2009, Olbin managed a 75.9 scoring average.

Carvalho (Brazil). As a unit, this group has seen its share of tough competition, competing in state finals and national junior events across the country. In short, these gentlemen have played against the best of the best. 

Home Sweet Home

Pine Valley Country Club and Cedar Creek Golf Course became the new home golf courses of Mastodon men's golf program last fall. The team began using the new facilities in the fall, with each location offering an 18-hole championship golf course, a full driving range and a top-notch short game area. So far, the players and coach King couldn't be happier.

Rise and Shine

If the Mastodons want a spot in the postseason, they will have some work to do. According to Summit League coaches, IPFW has been picked to finish eighth in the 2010 conference preseason poll.  The Mastodons received 24 points, tying with North Dakota State, and finishing ahead of in-state foe IUPUI.

Western Illinois nabbed the top position after receiving 75 points and six first-place votes. The Fighting Leathernecks are seeking their ninth conference title.

The conference runner-up the past two seasons, UMKC, took second place with 70 points and one first-place vote. Oral Roberts came in third place with a first-place vote and 66 points, while Southern Utah claimed two first-place votes and 58 points, good enough for fourth place. Oakland, South Dakota State and Centenary finished in fifth, sixth and seventh place, respectively.

The Mastodons will open the 2010 season on February 8 at the Pat Hick's Thunderbird Golf Invitational in St. George, Utah. The event is hosted by Southern Utah.

Words of Wisdom

Short question and answer session with head coach Billy King, senior Jon Balyeat and junior Ryan Olbin.

Coach King...

What have you learned from year one to year two as coach of the Mastodons?

King: That the quality of players at the Division-I level are extremely good. As the coach I had to raise the level of our work ethic and expectations.

What do you enjoy most coaching this team?

King: The student athletes are great young men. Each one of them have their own distinct personalities and I learn something new everyday. Also, watching the growth of the program. I really believe were getting better.

Talk about the new home courses of the men's golf team, Pine Valley Country Club and Cedar Creek...

King: They are wonderful. To have one of the premier private clubs and one of the premier public courses associated with our program is a huge feather in our cap. It has really helped with recruiting. Both facilities staffs have gone over and beyond to make us feel welcome. The team loves it.

What are your expectations this season?

King: To get better every day and contend in each and every tournament we play in. Our biggest goal is to win the Summit League Championship. The team and I truly believe we can accomplish great things with hard work.

Players...

How do you think your game has improved over the past year? Any areas you still want to improve upon?

Balyeat: I feel as though I have become a better scrambler over my entire college career and in the past year that has really helped me to manage all aspects of my game when I am struggling to perform at the highest level.

Olbin: My game has improved in the mental aspect more than any other area. I think a combination of experience and a better mindset have allowed for this development. I need to work on getting the ball in the fairway more often.

2. What are your expectations this season?

                           Balyeat: My expectations have always been high for this program no matter who my teammates have been. I am hoping that this spring we will finally be able to play

Balyeat averaged a 77.5 last spring for the Mastodons.

to best of our abilities for three rounds in each tournament. If that occurs there is not doubt in my mind that we have the ability to win a conference championship and anything less than that will be a disappointment to me.

Olbin: I expect our team to compete in some of our events. By competing, I mean having a chance to win going into the last round. I feel that our team has the talent and opportunity to Have a good semester and make some noise when it comes time for the summit league championship.

3. You have been through three coaching changes since you've been here, how does it feel to finally have stability?

Balyeat: Stability is something I never expected to associate with my golfing experience at IPFW, but with the addition of Coach King to the program those expectations have changed dramatically. The addition of Coach King was a huge influence in my decision to return for my fifth year and it is a decision that I will never regret. With his constant determination toward continued improvement and success at every level I feel as though we have our best opportunity for a summit league championship.

Olbin: Stability has been a great change to our program. Coach king has put forth a great effort in doing what is best for the program. He demands hard work and keeps us focused on what is important, which is working hard in the class room and then using our remaining time to work on our golf games.

~Dons~